Summary: If you have problems while importing AVCHD video from Canon R400 to FCP, you may have interest in this post. It explains how to transcode Canon R400 MTS clips to Apple ProRes for editing in FCP with optimum performance.
I needed a reliable converter for Canon R400 AVCHD files for a project in FCP 7
“Hi, all, I sometimes freelance edit for a quick buck and one studio gave me some MTS files without the rest of the file structure, so I need a reliable Canon AVCHD Converter for Mac that could properly convert R400 MTS clips for working with Final Cut Pro 7. I dislike the AVCHD codec, and anything that can help me convert R400 AVCHD files to Apple ProRes in a clean, efficient manner, makes me happy. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.”
The Video Converter for Mac application is a great choice for people who are looking for a way to work with Canon R400 AVCHD files in an Apple ProRes environment. It recognizes AVCHD files from Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, etc. as import and outputs QuickTime files optimized for use in Mac NLEs, like Apple ProRes .mov for FCP, AIC .mov for iMovie/FCE, DNxHD .mov for Avid, and something similar. You can download a demo of it to see if it is able to do what you need.
Download a demo of Video Converter for Mac
R400 and FCP Workflow – convert Canon R400 AVCHD to ProRes
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run Video Converter for Mac as a professional Canon R400 AVCHD to FCP Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes codec is workable in FCP X and its former version FCP 6 and 7.
Important: If you’ve loaded a number of video clips to do batch conversion, please do remember ticking off ‘Apply to All’ option before you start.
This Mac Canon R400 AVCHD to ProRes Video converter program offers a couple of ProRes formats for users to choose from, including Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422 (LT), Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy), and Apple ProRes 4444, you can select one as target format depending on your requirement in post production.
Apple ProRes 422 – Higher quality than Apple ProRes 422 (LT);
Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) – Keep original video quality for editing in FCP;
Apple ProRes 422 (LT) – Get a smaller file sizes than Apple ProRes 422;
Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) – SD levels – 480i/p and 576i/p. Used in offline workflows.
Apple ProRes 4444 – Edit and finish 4:4:4 material.
Step 3: Adjust video and audio settings （for advanced users）
If necessary, you can click ‘Settings’ button and go to ‘Profiles Settings’ panel to modify video and audio settings like video encoder, resolution, video bit rate, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio encoder, sample rate, audio bit rate, and audio channels. 3D settings are also available.
Step 4: Click ‘Convert’ to start Canon R400 MTS to ProRes MOV conversion.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for using in Final Cut Pro 7/6/X with optimum performance.
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